Deuteronomy 4:43

43 The names of the towns were Bezer in the waste land, in the table-land, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for Manasseh.

Deuteronomy 4:43 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:43

[Namely], Bezer in the wilderness
In ( Joshua 20:8 ) , it is added "upon the plain"; this perhaps was the wilderness of Moab, in the plains of it, the same with Bozrah, see ( Jeremiah 48:24 ) ( Deuteronomy 2:8 ) and in the Apocrypha:

``Hereupon Judas and his host turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness unto Bosora; and when he had won the city, he slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire,'' (1 Maccabees 5:28)

it was in the

plain country of the Reubenites,
or lay in that part of the country which was allotted to them, and which they gave to the Levites, ( 1 Chronicles 6:78 ) ,

and Ramoth in Gilead of the Gadites;
it lay in that part of Mount Gilead, and among the cities of it, which fell to the share of the tribe of Gad, and was by them given to the Levites, ( 1 Chronicles 6:80 ) , this city is frequently in Scripture called Ramothgilead; see ( 1 Kings 4:13 ) ( 22:20 )

and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites,
or "Gaulon", as the Septuagint, and from hence the country round about was called Gaulanitis; all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, was given to the half tribe of Manasseh, and out of it this city was given by them to the Levites, ( 1 Chronicles 6:71 ) , and appointed a city of refuge: now as these cities were typical of Christ, there may be something observed in the names of them as agreeing with him. "Bezer" signifies "a fortified place"; Christ is the fortress, mountain, and place of defence for his people, and strong hold to which the prisoners of hope turn, the strong tower whither the righteous run and are safe. "Ramoth" signifies "exaltations"; which may point both at the exaltation of Christ in human nature at the right hand of God, and the exaltation of his people by him, who are raised by him from a low estate to sit among princes, and to inherit the throne of glory, and by whom he is exalted in his person, office, and grace. "Golan" signifies "revealed" or" manifested": so Christ has been manifest in the flesh, and is revealed to sinners, when they are called by his grace; to whom they flee for refuge, and lay hold on him, the hope set before them.

Deuteronomy 4:43 In-Context

41 Then Moses had three towns marked out on the far side of Jordan looking to the east;

42 To which anyone causing the death of his neighbour in error and not through hate, might go in flight; so that in one of these towns he might be kept from death:

43 The names of the towns were Bezer in the waste land, in the table-land, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for Manasseh.

44 This is the law which Moses put before the children of Israel:

45 These are the rules and the laws and the decisions which Moses gave to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt;